The Springboarders teen group is taking applications through September 5! Read the article by Bella below to find out exactly what this group does and why you should apply! You can be a part of this group from anywhere in the world!
Click here and follow the link to sign up to be a Springboarder! The deadline to sign up is SEPTEMBER 5!
My Time as a Springboarder by Bella Gentry
If you visit the GirlSpring website frequently, you’ve likely seen the word “Springboarder” tossed around a few times. You may have also found yourself wondering, “What is a Springboarder?”
The Springboarders
The Springboarders are the main content creators for the GirlSpring website, and they also serve as a teen advisory board for the GirlSpring platform. I have had the privilege of being a Springboarder for the past three years, first joining the group at the beginning of my sophomore year of high school and remained a member ever since.
My time as a Springboarder is coming to an end now that I have graduated high school, but before I go, I wanted to take a moment to encourage GirlSpring’s readers to consider becoming a part of this amazing group of students from across the globe.
What does a Springboarder do?
Let’s start with what a Springboarder actually does. Basically, members of the group submit one piece of content per month GirlSpring’s website.
This content can be anything: articles, quizzes, poetry, artwork, photography, and videos.
If you have a knack for writing or creating and would like to share your work with over 16,000 people per month, then being a part of the Springboarders is a fantastic opportunity to make that happen.
In addition, you can submit content shared on GirlSpring’s website and that gives you opportunity to create content for the online platforms we have, such as recording podcast episodes, filming YouTube videos, creating TikToks, and even conducting interviews with successful women.
You must to attend the monthly virtual meeting via Zoom as a Springboarder. There are also a plethora of opportunities throughout the year for Springboarders located throughout the Birmingham area to meet in person. For example, GirlSpring hosts a number of social and volunteer events for Springboarders, and they also get special access to neat community events that GirlSpring hosts.
For instance, I got to attend a lecture and book signing for actor Geena Davis’s memoir.
That’s a pretty good overview of what the Springboarders actually do, but aside from the cool events and content creation opportunities, there are a number of other benefits that come with being a member of this awesome organization. Here are just a few:
1. You get to meet some pretty cool people
During my time as a Springboarder, I was able to meet girls from different schools who shared my passion for female empowerment and gender equality. In fact, many of the Springboarders come from different states and even different countries, making this organization a unique place where girls can come together and share their ideas, opinions, and experiences with one another. Many members have different belief systems, so being a part of this organization has taught me how to share my voice while still being respectful of others’ ideas.
2. You get a platform to share your voice
This is a perfect segway from the last pro, but like I mentioned earlier, GirlSpring has a large monthly audience, meaning that the content that you submit to the website will be viewed by tons of people from all over the world, which is a pretty cool thing to add to your résumé. You can create content on any topic you’d like, from back-to-school tips to op-eds on current political issues. Whether you’re passionate about a specific cause or just want to connect with other students your age, having your work published on GirlSpring’s website is a unique opportunity to turn either of those dreams into a reality.
3. It’s an amazing résumé builder with lots of leadership opportunities
Being a published author or artist is not something that a lot of people; especially teenagers, can claim, so having the word “Springboarder” on your college or job applications is a unique title that will help set you apart from the crowd of applicants. As I stated above, being a Springboarder comes with quite a few responsibilities, which only boost the respectability of the title.
Additionally, if you’re interested in becoming a Springboarder, there are plenty of leadership opportunities! Overall, if you’re looking for a cool extracurricular activity that will allow you to make new friends, give you an outlet for your ideas and passions, and boost your resume, then the Springboarders are a fantastic fit for you!
To become a part of this awesome group, fill out the application linked here by September 5. After that, you will be contacted to schedule an interview with the executive director of GirlSpring as well as a few current Springboarders. Don’t worry, the interview is nothing to stress about. It’s just a chance for us to get to know you beyond what you share on your application!
I hope you’ll consider joining this passionate group of leaders from around the world. I can confidently say that I’m glad I did three years ago!
